Frequently Asked Questions: Odor Complaints

• The local wastewater lagoons stink. Why can't the DNR do something to stop that?
• The neighboring farm really causes some odor when they spread manure. Please make them stop.
• My neighbor has a big pile of garbage/animal waste behind his house and it smells. Can the DNR make him clean it up?
• The factory down the street from me operates 24 hours a day and the paint fumes are terrible. Can the DNR do anything?

The local wastewater lagoons stink. Why can't the DNR do something to stop that?

It depends on the type of odors and duration of odors. If the plant always produces an odor due to insufficient oxygen, the plant design may need to be altered to correct the problem. If the operation smells one day a month on a sticky overcast day, it may not be reasonable to require any modifications. If you call the local Air Management Engineer or Wastewater Engineer, be prepared to let them know when the smell occurs (dates and times really help), how often you are monitoring the situation (daily, every work day or weekend only), which way the wind is blowing and the approximate wind speed when you notice the problem and what, if any, operations are occurring (spraying fields, emptying effluent portable tankers, etc.). Facilities are required to take preventive measures to minimize odors and the DNR does work with facilities to improve local problems.

The neighboring farm really causes some odor when they spread manure. Please make them stop.

Farmers are required to use best management practices to minimize odors from their animal waste operations. Generally, your local farmer only generates occasional and episodic odors from these operations. If you are having a big party and don't want any odors, try inviting the neighbors and asking them to wait to spread until after the party! If the manure is being spread too thick and it is running off the field, try calling your county agricultural agent and ask him to check out the operation.

My neighbor has a big pile of garbage/animal waste behind his house and it smells. Can the DNR make him clean it up?

Although Department staff may be able to discuss the situation with your neighbor, your local public health office may be able to require a clean up because of potential vermin and rat problems. In addition, some local ordinances have regulations that prohibit this type of storage.

The factory down the street from me operates 24 hours a day and the paint fumes are terrible. Can the DNR do anything?

Yes, we can examine the facility to ensure that the exhaust stacks are above the local roof lines to increase dispersion of the odors. We can determine if any of the paints used contain hazardous air pollutants and if the concentrations are above the permissible level at the fence line of the property. Any painting operation that emits more than 6,000 pounds of VOCs per year is required to report air emissions on an annual basis, and sources that emit more than 1,666 pounds of VOCs per month are required to apply for air pollution permits. Your local Air Management Engineer has probably been working with this facility. In addition, you can work with your local zoning office to increase separations between residential and industrial sources and prevent future land use conflicts.

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